Fire-hydrant



-' (No Model.)

J. C. KUPFERLE. FIRE AHYDRANEI?.

Nb. 535,910. Patented Mar. 19, 1895.

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Unirse4 STA-rss PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN O. KUPFERLE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

FIRE-HYDRANT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,910, dated March19, 1895.

` Application iled August 2,1894. Serial No. 519,230 (N0 model-l To aZ-Zwhom z5 may concern.y

ful Improvement in Fire-IIydrants, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact descrlption.

The improvement relates to the waste of the hydrant; and it consists inthe means hereinafter set out and claimed, reference being had to theannexed drawings, making part of this specification, and in which-Fignre l is in part a vertical cross section of the body of a hydrantcontaining my improvement, and in part, a view in perspective of thoseparts with which my improvement is most directly connected, the viewbeing upon a reduced scale and the main valve being shown seated and thewaste open. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on alarger scale of the lowerend or foot of a hydrant,- being the portion with which my improvementis immediately connected. In this view also, the valve is shown seatedand the waste open. Fig. 3 is a similar View, except that the main valveand parts thereto attached are shown in perspective, and that the mainvalveis unseated and the waste closed, and Fig. 4 is a vertical crosssection of an improved rubber packing used by me, and through which`,the extension of the stem of the main Valve is intended to pass.

The same letters of reference denote the same parts throughout theseveral views.

The valve A, seats at a, against the pressure, the water enteringthrough the inlet B into the chamber.O in the lower end or foot D of thehydrant, and thence, when the valve A is unseated, passing upward pastthe valve :into the upper part ofthe hydrant, D', whence it isdischarged in the ordinary manner.

As the improvement does not depend for its operation, upon any specialconstruction at the upper end of the hydrant, that part need not bespecially described.-

The main valve stein E extends downward below the valve A. Its extensionis hollow (Fig. 2). Itis perforated both above the main valve and nearthe lower end of its extension e. The perforations above the valve arelettered e and those below it e2. The extension passes through a centralperforation f in a packing F, preferably cone shaped as shown in Fig. 4and provided with a thin lip f', at its upper end and the [iange f2 atits lower end; I prefer to form this packing of rubber. Soft rubberanswers the purpose best. The packing F is contained `within the tubularplug G. It preferably rests upon an annular rib g, preferably held inplace by means of a sleeve G screwed into the top of the plug G andbearing upon the flange f2 of said packing.

In the form of my improvement shown in the drawings there is a chamberg2 `ibelow the rib g, and passages o3 g3,are provided for the escape ofwater therefrom to without the hydrant. The plug G and the sleeve G" areboth preferably perforated so as to permit of a free circulation ofwater around the packing F, and allow any sediment which might otherwiseaccumulate around the packing, to escape, lThe perforations in the plugG are lettered g4, and those in the sleeve G are lettered g5.

When the main valve A is seated, the portion of the stem containing theperforations e2, extends below the packing F, as appears in Fig. 2. Whenthe parts are in that position there is a free passage for any wastewater-left in the upper part (D) of the hydrant, through theperforations e', and the stem extension e, the perforations e2, thechamber g2 and the passages g3 to without the hydrant. When on theother' hand, the main valve A is lifted olf its seat, as shown in Fig.3, the portion of the valve stem (e) containing the perforations e2, issufficiently elcvated to bring said'perforations within the packing F.As soon as this takes place they are closed by the packing and theescape of water through them prevented. Thus the waste is always openwhen the valve is closed, f

and is closed by the opening of the main valve.

The packing F devised by me is very eftlcient in making a water tightjoint by reason of its elasticity and its form. The pressure of waterupon its sides and especially upon its lipfassists inkeeping it tight.

` In case the valve A, or its stem E, needs repairing the top of thehydrant may be taken o and the valve lifted out by its stem. In suchcases the packingF is left in place. The lower end e3, of the stemextension e is pref- ICO crably conical or pointed so as to permit ofits easy insertion into lthe centralperforation fof the packing F, andwhen the main valve and its stem have lbeen taken out of the hydrant,the stem extension e can be inserted in its packing Without difcultywhen the valve is replaced.

It is believed that the special form of packing (F) which I havedescribed will last as long` as a hydrant. In case it should becomedesirable to remove such a packing however vthe sleeve G, may beunscrewed and the packinglifted outl Without difficulty and a new oneinserted.

Hydrants embodying my invention are cheap, efficient, simple and verydurable.

The perforations e', e2, g4, and g5 are respectively preferably two ormore in number but a single one of each may be used.

I claim-- 1. The combination of the/tubular plug G having one or moreperforations g4, the perforated elastic packing F, having Vthe ange f2restingl upon a support formed in ysaid plug G, and a sleeve G havingone or more perforations g5, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the tubular plug G havingone or more perforationsg4, the soft rubber, cone shaped packing F, having a lip f and alangefz, a support for said packing and a sleeve GI having one or moreperforations substantially as described.

3. The combination in a hydrant, of the valve A having the seat a., thehollow stem eX- tension e, Whose interior is connected with the spaceabove the valve seat by a passage e; the tubular plug G containing oneor more lateral perforations g5, and a support for a packing; a rubberpacking F, having the central perforationf and-the lip f', the sleeve Ghaving one or more perforations g5, and one or more lateral openings e2in said valve stem extension, open when said valve is seated and closedwhen it is unseated, substantially as described.

Witness my hand this 31st day of July, 1894. i

JOHN U. KU'PFERLE.

Witnesses:

A. BONVILLE, B. F. REX.

